Fuelless Lifelong Cigarette Lighter

ABSTRACT

A fuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighter is a manually powered lighter that operates without the use of fuel. The lighter includes a super capacitor (low voltage, very high capacitance) that is discharged into a resistance. This resistance then becomes hot enough to light a cigarette or cigar upon contact. The super capacitor is charged by means of a mechanical system, such as the user winding or squeezing the lighter and a micro generator. After charging, a switch allows the capacitor to discharge into the resistance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on the U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/190, 251, filed on Aug. 26,2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to portable cigarettelighters. More particularly, it relates to a fuel-less and battery-lesscigarette lighter, which uses a super-capacitor and a resistance. Anelectrical charge from the super-capacitor is discharged onto theresistance to create heat energy, which in turn lights up a cigarette ora cigar on contact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Lighters and the like are used in a number of different applications,which require an object to be ignited due to placement of the object inclose proximity or in contact with the lighting means of the lighter.The most common and ubiquitous application is the lighting of tobaccoproducts, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc. A lighter is most often usedto ignite the tip of a tobacco product to permit smoking thereof. Otherapplications where a lighter is used include but are not limited to thelighting of candle, incense sticks, or other combustible fragrant orluminary objects.

While many different devices and sources of heat could be used to ignitea cigarette, some of the most common ways to ignite a cigarette includeusing a match; a coil that has been heated by passing an electriccurrent through the coil; and a flame that is powered by a flammableliquid such as butane which is stored in a portion of the lighter.

Generally, cigarette lighters include a wick, which is activated bycapillary action. The lower end of the wick is immersed in a fuel and arotatably mounted flint, disposed in closely spaced relation to the tipof the wick, which produces a spark when rotated against an abrasivemember, is disposed in close proximity. These lighters have a number ofwell-known disadvantages relating to the need to maintain fuel therein,such as the inefficiency of the flint-based spark-producing means, andthe like. Moreover, the lighters can be used to start fires, eitherintentionally or accidentally. Additional drawbacks of such conventionallighters are equally well known. For example, the lighter fluid has anunpleasant smell. Moreover, the lighters are heavy and not inexpensive.Many inventors have developed improvements to the common lighter. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,553 discloses a battery powered lighterthat uses a laser to ignite the tobacco. In another example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,235,157 discloses a battery powered lighter that uses a spiralelectric heating element to elevate the temperature of the tobacco toignite the cigarette. The same patent discloses a recessed opening intowhich the cigarette must be inserted to enable the heating element tocontact the cigarette. The recessed opening is intended to inhibit theintentional setting of fires. Further, Chuange, in U.S. Pat. No.4,507,704 discloses a battery-operated cigarette lighter that providescurrent to heat a filament that is positioned within housing. The size,weight, and expense of the Chunage device are not inconsiderable.

Common lighters require a fuel to create a flame, which requiresrefilling of the fuel supply or otherwise makes the lighters to be adisposable item. This causes the frustration when it runs out and thefrequent purchase of new lighters—which can be several times a year. Itis also a growing environmental issue with millions of lighters beingdisposed of each year. Other issues with common flame lighters are thedifficulty to operate in windy conditions, the poor operation in wetenvironments, the risk of inadvertently setting fire by negligence, thepropensity of the nozzle to become plugged, the ban on flame lightersaboard aircraft, etc. Battery operated cigarette lighters requirefrequent replacement of batteries, and the disposal of such batteriesfurther carries inherent health and environmental hazards. Therefore,following a useful life of the batteries, they require further attentionin processing a responsible disposal to avoid unintended hazards.

Although the art of cigarette lighters is well-developed, there remainsa need for a lightweight and small lighter that can be held in the palmof one's hands but cannot be used to start intentional or unintentionalfires. There is also a need for a lighter that is very inexpensive,small and light in weight. Further, the total elimination of fuel from alighter would be a revolutionary change in age old custom of lighting acigarette by using a flame. In addition, if the lighters can be madewithout the electrical energy from disposable batteries, users wouldhave a relief from the annoyance of ever replacing batteries forlighters to light up a cigarette.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,a lightweight and small fuel-less and battery-less lighter assembly thatcan be held in one's hand is provided. The lighter assembly further hasa housing, which nests a super-capacitor and a resistance for receivingelectrical charges from the super-capacitor to heat itself up forgenerating adequate heat for lighting a cigarette, a cigar, and thelike, on contact. The fuel-less and battery-less lighter assemblyincludes

-   -   (a) A housing having a body and plurality of outer faces; a        recess is disposed on one of its outer faces; the recess        partially receiving a handle; the handle may be spring loaded or        may be of a winding crank type, which handle is removably        attached with the housing such that, when squeezed or wound by        the crank, it exerts an inward force from outside of the        housing.    -   (b) A set of gears fixedly mounted within the housing,        juxtaposed with the handle; the gears receiving and converting        inward force exerted by the handle into kinetic energy.    -   (c) A micro generator fixedly mounted within the housing, the        micro generator being disposed adjacent to said gear set and        connected therewith; the micro generator converting the kinetic        energy from the set of gears into electrical energy.    -   (d) A circuit board is fixedly mounted within the housing; the        circuit board receiving the electrical energy from the micro        generator and further processing said electrical energy.    -   (e) A super-capacitor is fixedly mounted within the housing, the        super-capacitor further having low voltage and high capacitance;        the super-capacitor receiving said processed electrical energy        from said circuit board. In an embodiment, the maximum operating        voltage of the super-capacitor of the present disclosure does        not exceed ten volts, and the operating capacitance of the        super-capacitor is at least 10 Farads. In another embodiment,        the maximum operating voltage of the super-capacitor is 12        volts, and the operating capacitance of the super-capacitor is 5        Farads. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the        operating ratings disclosed herein are exemplary and        non-limiting.    -   (f) A control switch is partially mounted in a recess on the        body of the housing such that a portion of the switch protrudes        outside of the body of the housing for easy on and off        operations; the control switch being connected to the        super-capacitor; the control switch discharging the electrical        energy stored in the super-capacitor on a need basis.    -   (g) An electrical resistance partially mounted in a suitable        recess on the body of the housing such that a top portion of the        resistance is exposed from the surface of the housing; the        resistance further including at least one heating element; the        control switch being further connected to the resistance; the        control switch discharging the electrical charges stored in the        super-capacitor into the resistance, whereby the heating element        of the resistance adequately heats up and lights up a cigarette        on contact.

In another embodiment, the fuel-less and battery-less lighter assemblyincludes a winding crank in place of the spring loaded handle; thehousing similarly receives the winding crank partially in a recessdisposed on one of its outer faces; the winding of the winding crankexerts manual force; the set of gears receives this manual force througha link and creates kinetic energy; the winding crank is removablyattached to the housing.

In operation, a manual force is exerted either by squeezing the handleor winding the crank. The manual force is transferred to the juxtaposedgear set fixedly mounted within the housing of the lighter assembly. Thegear set converts the manual force to kinetic energy; the kinetic energyfrom the gear set is transferred to the micro generator. Successively,the micro generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy;further, the micro generator transfers the electrical energy to theadjoining electric circuit board; the circuit board processes theelectrical energy to charge the super-capacitor with low voltage (whichvoltage, in an embodiment, does not exceed 10 volts) and highcapacitance (which capacitance, in an embodiment, is at least 10Farads). In another embodiment, the voltage of the super-capacitor is 12volts, and the capacitance is 5 Farads. One skilled in the art willrecognize, however, that the operating ratings set forth herein areexemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. When a user turns onthe control switch, the super-capacitor, laden with low voltage and highcapacitance, discharges the stored charges into the resistance, whereby,the heating element of the resistance is heated to create heat for theuser to light up a cigarette without using a lighted flame of fire.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the fuel-less and battery-lesscigarette lighter according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fuel-less and battery-less cigarettelighter according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of the fuel-less and battery-lesscigarette lighter according to the disclosure.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a fuel-less and battery-lesslighter assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The fuel-less and battery-lesslighter assembly 10 includes a housing 20 having a body and plurality ofouter faces. A recess 30 is disposed on one of its outer faces. Therecess 30 partially and removably receives a handle 40. The handle 40may be spring loaded and removably attached with the housing 20 suchthat, when squeezed, the handle 40 exerts inward force from outside ofthe housing 20.

A set of gears 50 fixedly mounted within the housing 20, juxtaposed withthe handle 40; the gear set 50 receiving and converting the inward forceexerted by the handle 40 into kinetic energy.

A micro generator 60 is fixedly mounted within the housing 20, the microgenerator 60 is disposed adjacent to said gear set 50 and connectedtherewith; the micro generator 60 converts the kinetic energy from thegear set 50 into electrical energy. A circuit board 70 is fixedlymounted within the housing 20; the circuit board 70 receives theelectrical energy from the micro generator 60, and further processessaid electrical energy.

A super-capacitor 80 is fixedly mounted within the housing 20, thesuper-capacitor 80 further having low voltage and high capacitance; thesuper-capacitor 80 receives said processed electrical energy from saidcircuit board 70.

A control switch 90 is partially mounted on the body of the housing 20such that, a portion of the switch 90 protrudes outside of the body ofthe housing 20 for easy on and off operations; the control switch 90 isconnected to the super-capacitor 80; the control switch 90 dischargesthe electrical energy stored in the super-capacitor 80 on a need basisby activating the control switch 90, and when not needed, the controlswitch 90 is turned off to preserve the electrical energy in thesuper-capacitor 80.

An electrical resistance 100 is partially mounted in a suitable recesson the body of the housing 20 of the lighter assembly 10 such that a topportion of the resistance 100 exposes from the surface of the housing20; the resistance 100 further includes at least one heating element;the control switch 90 is further connected to the resistance 100; thecontrol switch 90 discharges the electrical charges stored in thesuper-capacitor 80 into the resistance 100, whereby the at least oneheating element of the resistance 100 adequately heats up and lights acigarette on contact.

In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, amanual force is exerted either by squeezing the handle 40 or winding acrank. The manual force is transferred to the juxtaposed gear set 50fixedly mounted within the housing 20 of the lighter assembly 10. Thegear set 50 converts the manual power to kinetic energy; the kineticenergy from the gear set 50 is transferred to the micro generator 60.Successively, the micro generator 60 converts the kinetic energy intoelectrical energy; further, the micro generator 60 transfers theelectrical energy to the adjoining electric circuit board 70; thecircuit board 70 processes the electrical energy to charge thesuper-capacitor 80 with low voltage and high capacitance. When a userturns on the control switch 90, the super-capacitor 80, laden with lowvoltage and high capacitance, discharges the stored charges into theresistance 100, whereby, the heating element of the resistance 100 isheated to create heat energy for the user to light up a cigarettewithout using a lighted flame of fire.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle 40 may be replaced with awinding crank to exert manual force to create kinetic energy by the gearset 50. A manual force may be exerted and transferred to the gear set 50by winding the crank of the winding crank; whereby kinetic energy isproduced and transferred to micro generator 60; the kinetic energy isfurther converted into electrical energy by the micro generator 60; theelectrical energy is then processed by the circuit board 70. Theprocessed electrical energy is further channeled to the super-capacitor80, which is then enriched with low voltage and high capacitance. Byturning on the control switch 90, the super-capacitor 80 is enabled todischarge the stored energy into the resistance 100, whereby the heatingelement of the resistance 100 is heated to produce adequate heat tolight up a cigarette or a cigar without lighting a flame of fire.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to theembodiments described herein, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A fuel-less and a battery-less hand-held cigarette lighter,comprising: a housing having a body and plurality of outer faces; arecess is disposed on one of the outer faces of the housing; the recesspartially receiving a handle; the handle is removably attached to thehousing exerting an inward force when squeezed thereon; a gear setfixedly mounted within the housing, juxtaposed with the said handle; thegear set receives and converts the said inward force by the handle intokinetic energy; a micro generator fixedly mounted within the housing;the micro generator is disposed adjacent to said gear set and connectedtherewith; the micro generator converts the said kinetic energy intoelectrical energy; a circuit board is fixedly mounted within thehousing; the circuit board is communicably juxtaposed with the microgenerator; the circuit board further processes said electrical energy; asuper-capacitor is fixedly mounted within the housing; thesuper-capacitor further including low voltage and high capacitance; thesuper-capacitor further receives said processed electrical energy andstores said electrical energy as electrical charge; a control switch isfixedly mounted on the body of the housing, partially protruding fromthe housing; the control switch is connected to the super-capacitor; andan electrical resistance is partially and fixedly mounted in a recess onthe body of the housing; a portion of the resistance exposed outwardlyfrom one of the faces of the housing, the resistance further includingat least one heating element; the resistance is further connected tosaid control switch, whereby, when the control switch is turned on, thesuper-capacitor discharges the stored electrical charges into theresistance, thereby heating the at least one heating element forlighting a cigarette.
 2. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarettelighter as described in claim 1, wherein the maximum operating voltageof the super-capacitor does not exceed ten volts.
 3. The fuel-less andbattery-less cigarette lighter as described in claim 1, wherein thelevel of minimum operating capacitance is at least ten Farads.
 4. Thefuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighter as described in claim 1,wherein the maximum operating voltage of the super-capacitor does notexceed 12 volts.
 5. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighter asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the level of minimum operating capacitanceis at least five Farads.
 6. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarettelighter as described in claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed witha metallic material.
 7. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighteras described in claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed with aplastic material.
 8. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighter asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the handle is a spring loaded handleremovably attached with the housing.
 9. The fuel-less and battery-lesscigarette lighter as described in claim 8, wherein the inward force isapplied to the handle by squeezing the handle against the body of thehousing.
 10. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarette lighter asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the handle is a winding crank removablyattached with the housing.
 11. The fuel-less and battery-less cigarettelighter as described in claim 10, wherein the inward force is applied tothe handle by winding the crank of the handle.